The Charging Horse Casino in Lame Deer, Montana. Photo from Montana Office of Tourism
Casino manager fired at Northern Cheyenne amidst controversy
By Clara Caufield
Native Sun News Correspondent LAME DEER, Mont –– On Monday, April 13, members of the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Gaming Commission accompanied by Tribal President Llevando “Cowboy” Fisher arrived early at the Charging Horse Casino owned and operated by the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. They fulfilled a quick mission: Lori Limberhand, general Casino manager since 2006, was terminated. According to some Casino staff, the process was very brief, involving a verbal confrontation between Limberhand and one of the Gaming Commissioners before the tribal officials departed. Limberhand then packed her personal effects and left the Casino a short time later without commenting to staff. Limberhand sent a brief email to A Cheyenne Voice newspaper stating “You might have the story of your life. They fired me. I’m an outsider now,” but otherwise has not been available for comment. The acting Gaming Commission Chairman, Merlin Sioux, also a Tribal Council member, declined to comment on the termination when contacted by the newspaper. President Fisher explained that such action is entirely under the authority of the Tribal Gaming Commission, a board appointed by the Tribal Council including five members to represent each of the Reservation Districts. Currently, four members are in place: Merlin Sioux, Acting Chairman, Lame Deer; Jennifer Redfox Spang, Birney; Barbara Clubfoot, Muddy; and Sheldon King, Tribal Council member, Busby. In the near future President Fisher will nominate Robert Bement to fill a vacant seat representing the Ashland District. Stressing that he is only the Acting Chairman, Sioux explained that the full Commission will meet quickly after Bement’s appointment is confirmed by the Tribal Council to officially select officers for the Commission. Then, he suggested, the Commission might be willing to comment on the termination. “I think they should make a full report. The people will want to know,” the Tribal President stated. When asked if the meeting would be open to the public Sioux said he would have to check on policy and procedure. President Fisher, however, noted that all tribal meetings as a matter of policy should be open to the public, though the Tribe does not have a specific open meeting law. Lemual “Butch:” Small, tribal member commented: “Under the tribal constitution and corporate charter, every Cheyenne has the right to be informed about and participate in business decisions the Tribal Council, boards and committees make on our behalf. We, as tribal members, are very discouraged about our inability to be informed about decisions that affect us.”
The Charging Horse Casino features gaming machines, bingo and a cafe. Image from Facebook
Officials did confirm that the position will be advertised, probably for 30 days and it is expected that an acting manager will shortly be appointed during the interim. Until the Commission meets to select a Gaming Manager or appoint a temporary manager, Gloria Waters, tribal member and long term compliance officer will temporarily manage the Casino. Due to her compliance officer duties, she said she cannot step into the manager position nor does she want to. Recently, A Cheyenne Voice published a story about a complaint that tribal member, Alberta Fisher, had regarding the delay of payment for a large Bingo win at the Charging Horse Casino. Fisher’s daughter, Jennifer Redfox Spang is one of the gaming commissioners. However, Limberhand and Waters then explained that the delay was according to publicly posted rules governing the payment of Bingo jackpots by Planet Bingo operated separately from Charging Horse. In that instance, the casino was clearly following proper procedure. Fisher was, however, very dissatisfied at how she was treated during that process by Charging Horse officials, alleging they were rude and took that complaint to tribal officials. Within the past year, Limberhand decided to close the Charging Horse Casino Café, one of two sit-down eateries on the Reservation, a very controversial move in the community. Due to pressure from the tribal administration, the café was re-opened on a take-out basis. “This is a basic service to our community,” said President Fisher. “People need a place to eat; even having a piece of pie to visit with friends.” Recently, two other patrons took concerns related to Bingo payouts to the Tribal Gaming Commission, Tribal Council, Tribal President and National Indian Gaming Commission, but the details of those circumstances have not been made available to the press. Finally, a group of tribal elderly women recently met with tribal officials to protest what they felt was the inappropriate suspension of tribal member, Jeanne Shoulderbalde, popular gaming floor employee. That incident was the subject of considerable discussion/debate in the close-knit reservation community. (Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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